Şans Restaurant

The story

Şans Restaurant, Istanbul – Michelin Recommended Mediterranean & Turkish Cuisine

A Levent Mainstay Since 1992

Şans Restaurant opened in 1992 in a two-storey villa set in a garden in Levent, Istanbul’s business and residential hub. The restaurant describes itself as bringing “selected flavours of Mediterranean and contemporary Turkish cuisine” to the table, with a commitment to seasonal ingredients, modern presentation, and service built on total guest satisfaction.

The Setting and Service

The villa’s garden is a green retreat in the city, especially during spring and summer. The restaurant can host private events for up to 120 seated guests or 250 for cocktails, using separate floors with their own bars. Reviews consistently note the impeccable service, a knowledgeable sommelier, and a warm, refined atmosphere that attracts a local, discerning clientele. One guest called it “one of the real culinary establishments of Istanbul.”

The Menu

The kitchen, led by executive chef Melda Farimaz, focuses on Mediterranean and Turkish cuisine with a strong sense of place. Starters include olive-oil-poached Urla artichoke with fava purée and carrot purée, and a Çanakkale beef carpaccio with rocket, Parmesan, and balsamic reduction. Fish dishes feature line-caught Ege sea bass with green curry, mango, and ginger, while meat options range from slow-cooked Trakya lamb shoulder to aged beef rib steak with mustard sauce. Desserts like crispy pumpkin with buffalo clotted cream have been singled out by guests. The wine list is extensive, and the menu clearly marks vegetarian and lacto-ovo-vegetarian items.

Recognition

In 2026, Şans Restaurant earned a Michelin Recommended award, reflecting its consistent quality and the refined, seasonal cooking that has made it a trusted address in Istanbul for over three decades.